Self-Regulation as a Strength for Adolescents in Coping with Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) in Social Media Use: A Literature Review

Abstract

The rapid advancement of information and communication technology has significantly changed social interactions, with social media becoming a powerful and multifunctional platform. One common effect of this change is Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), a feeling of anxiety caused by the fear of missing information or experiences that others enjoy online. Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to FoMO, which can negatively impact their emotions, behavior, academic performance, and daily life. This study aims to examine how self-regulation influences FoMO in teenagers who use social media. Self-regulation refers to a person’s ability to manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to reach personal goals. It is believed that better self-regulation can reduce FoMO. The method used in this research is a literature review, which includes summaries and analysis of relevant articles, books, and documents. The findings suggest that higher self-regulation is linked to lower levels of FoMO. Teenagers who can control their emotions and behaviors are more likely to manage their social media use wisely and avoid excessive fear of missing out. On the other hand, poor self-regulation often leads to excessive social media use and higher FoMO. This study aims to determine the importance of developing self-regulation skills as a strategy to reduce FoMO and improve the psychological well-being of adolescents in the digital age.